THE heartbroken family of a young bride to be who died suddenly have spoken about her death to raise awareness of silent heart conditions.
Lindsey Coulter, 27, from Fivemiletown died in April 2016, just six months before her wedding day after collapsing at Colebrooke fitness gym near Brookeborough. The young community nurse was due to get married to her fiance Brian Ellison last October and was laid to rest in her wedding dress. It is believed Lindsey died from an unknown inherited heart condition.
Lindsey’s older sister Alison Little said the young nurse had everything to live for and was excitedly preparing for her wedding day.
“Lindsey was due to get married on October 14th last year. She had the wedding all planned out, the dresses bought, her flowers and cake picked. She was really excited about getting married to Brian and was going to the gym three or four times a week in preparation.
“It was there at the gym that she collapsed on the cross-trainer and although they tried their best, there was nothing anyone could do. She had no health problems and her death was a massive shock to us all.
“She should be at the beginning of her married life now so it’s still very hard for us all to take in” added Alison.
British Heart Foundation Northern Ireland (BHF NI) estimates that around 17,500 people in the North are living with a faulty gene that puts them at high risk of a heart attack at a young age or sudden death. This week the family donated £2,000 to BHF NI that will go towards vital heart research. They have also made a donation for a memorial bench at St John’s Parish Church graveyard where Lindsey is buried.
Alison said they wanted to use the money to fund heart research to save families from the same heartache,
“If we had known Lindsey had a heart condition maybe something could have been done to help her. The not knowing is hard for us all. BHF funds research into the heart conditions that take away the lives of young people and we want the money raised in her memory to help others.
“We as a family were overwhelmed with the support we have been shown from family, friends, neighbours and the local community in lieu of flowers. We are so grateful.”
For more information about inherited heart conditions and to support the BHF, visit www.bhf.org.uk/unexpected.